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Mark V

Mark V

has 67 followers and is following 57 people

"The sun is but a morning star." --Henry David Thoreau, "Walden"

"Mere life is a luxury." --Mark Twain, "The Gilded Age"

Twitter: @valentineplanet
  • Port Angeles, WA, USA
  • member since December 17, 2008

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Mark V’s last login was 6 hours ago. show recent activity »

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Public Notes

  • Howard N

    Howard N says

    Hi Mark,

    I plan on writing a review in the next couple of days.

    Later,
    H

    posted 4 days ago. ( send a note )
  • KelseyAllen87

    KelseyAllen87 says

    thanks, Mark!

    posted 11 days ago. ( send a note )
  • Jelena

    Jelena says

    Hi Mark,

    I'm definitely more fan of historical fiction than history. What's biography of Cleopatra like?

    posted 2 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Nastia Nanivska

    Nastia Nanivska says

    Your list of good deeds today has surely been checked with having me introduced to Weil - thanks for the hint, that is exactly the sort of recommendations I would expect! :) I am not particularly fond of entertaining literature, so my sole criteria is to look for thought-provoking books, either in fiction, philosophy or scientific literature. As for Bulgakov, I would put him on the same shelf with Dostoyevsky (well above Tolstoy!), though in a very own prose style. Sorry to go for commonplace expressions, but "Master and Margarita" is a must-read and a masterpiece of world literature. Despite the horrible description of the book here on Shelfari (I will surely contribute to editing), it is a deeply philosophical reading on the relation between the Individual Self and God, the thin line between Good and Evil, and the quest of the Man to become what he is destined to be - all tied up in a very amusing, humorous story allowing for a glimpse into the Soviet Union of the 60's. Though I wouldn't dare to mess with your reading priorities, this book should be one of them ;)

    posted 3 weeks ago. ( send a note )
  • Nastia Nanivska

    Nastia Nanivska says

    Thanks for your comment, Mark, - nice to meet another book soul ;) Loved your Favs shelf, and any recommendations are vividly welcome!

    posted 1 month ago. ( send a note )
  • A. J. G a l l a n t

    A. J. G a l l a n t says

    It would make me happy if you would check out my novel Madman in the Mirror on Amazon ebooks. The first 3 chapters are free.

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Shannon Lee

    Shannon Lee says

    i believe tolkien wrote some kind of translation of beowulf, though i have not seen it. i did enjoy the version i read (out of the broadview anthology of british literature), but i feel like the only reason i did enjoy it is because it is the only known work representing the writing of the time period.

    posted 2 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Aloywischus

    Aloywischus says

    Oh My! You're reading Fight Club! Please, I most eagerly await your review (no spoilers of course). I recently read "Invisible Monsters" which I thought was very enjoyable. Oh I am so excited.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Aloywischus

    Aloywischus says

    Haha, I am 50% through WFE and vapid was the perfect adjective to describe it. I'm still waiting for something to happen...or some deep insight about humanity, society, or, well anything.
    Lamb is about (according to the jacket, I've not read more than 10 pages) Jesus' life as a child told by his best friend Biff. It seems like it might bring a few laughs. People liked it, it received goods rating on here.
    No, I have not read any other Márquez books, but I plan to remedy that soon enough. I asked for Love in the Time of Cholera and Memories of My Melancholy Whores for Ole Yule.
    That is a lot of reading! I wish I had more time to read. I have to steal moments.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • jziegenm

    jziegenm says

    I can't wait to hear what you think of the Guterson novel. I have loved, loved, loved half of his books and have felt "eh" about the other half. I so hope this is one of the love ones. :)

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Aloywischus

    Aloywischus says

    In my defense I am reading it (Water for Elephants) at the request of a friend ;) The plan is we then rent the movie and watch together. She's going to let me read it on her fancy kindle thaingamajigger.

    I absolutely adore 100 years. I can't wait to read it again. I think the second reading will have even more to offer. It stuck with me.

    Cool. I don't own Practical Magic. It is on here more as a reminder than an impending read. I just finished Life of Pi and am about to start Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, which I am very excited about for some reason :D

    Cheers

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Yosemite009

    Yosemite009 says

    Mark,
    That is hilarious! And that is precisely why I solicited your opinion of "Collapse!" While I enjoyed "Guns, Germs and Stee," it was a bit of a slog at times, so I've been reluctant, in the absence of a good trusted review, to attempt another Diamond work.
    Life certainly happens!
    Jeff

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Yosemite009

    Yosemite009 says

    Grand indeed. I'd be interested in your take on "Collapse." I enjoyed "Guns, Germs and Steel," but have hesitated to start "Collapse" thinking it may be too similar. let me know what you think.

    Great having you a new friend, Mark.
    Jeff

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Suzanne

    Suzanne says

    OOPS - just noticed I put a spoiler in that note! Hmmm . . . hit the delete key.

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Suzanne

    Suzanne says

    Loved the sarcasm . . and the letter format!

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Yosemite009

    Yosemite009 says

    Mark,
    I think you have set the personal record of sharing 154 of the books on my shelf! Granted, you have quite few on your shelf to begin with, but I'm still thrilled. I really appreciate your reviews, and I am certain that when I check back to your shelf to ehlp me select my next read, your insights will prove useful! Thanks for sharing so much. I look forward to following you.
    Pura vida,
    Jeff

    posted 3 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Jodi Ambrose

    Jodi Ambrose says

    Heck yeah! Hope you are having a great weekend! :)

    posted 4 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Aloywischus

    Aloywischus says

    Thanks Mark. I've owned this book for a few years, and after discovering you were fond of it I figured I'd give it a go. :)

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Suzanne

    Suzanne says

    Had to smile at your review on Our Endangered Values - it reminded me of my grandmother. She had a "H.T." tattoo on her arm and whenever anyone would ask her what it stood for, she always replied "Harry Truman!" Somehow, we never quite believed her; surely it should have been "H.S.T.!"

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )
  • Lxpetrik

    Lxpetrik says

    I most certainly will enjoy it!

    posted 5 months ago. ( send a note )